The Splits

The Splits Bozeman, MT

Bozeman, MT

Over the last days waiting out the rain we wash clothes and turn our room into something less than a Chinese laundry. Clothes, rags jackets and anything that could fit into the washer is now hanging from anything that will hold a hanger. With the humidity up it is like this for a few days. On Monday morning the weather is supposed to clear. We wake to very overcast skies and wet ground. We takes our time with coffee and breakfast and decide to get moving. We just can’t sit around any longer. Ross is going to try to make Boise, where he can fly home if he doesn’t feel better. He will come back and get his bike when healthy. Lee and I are going the opposite direction trying to make Bozeman where Lee has left his car and trailer, where my daughters live. I’ll spend some time with Anika and Kara, husbands Erik and Nathan. I have four grand kids here that need some Pappa J time. We pack the bikes, leave a generous tip for the room cleaners, and say our goodbyes. Ross feels better this morning so we are not worried about him leaving for the three hour ride by himself. Lee and I take off about 8:30. The roads have dried now but it still looks like it could shower us. We ride up through Riggins and Grangeville. This is nice riding on good pavement. We turn east along the Clearwater River. This is great riding. No traffic and twisty roads. The ride along the river is very nice. There are a few rafts on the river. The temp is cold at 47 degrees. I have to stop to put on my rain suit to block the wind. We top out at Lolo pass and soon join the interstate 90. We ride this till we reach Bozeman. 12 hours on the bike today! Only reached 65 degrees in the last hours. My family are waiting on the driveway for us when we pull in. How nice to have this ending. We enjoy a bar b q with them. We load Lee’s bike so he can make an early departure. Lee and I say good by. We hear from Ross that he feels normal and will ride the bike home. Good news. I’ll stay here for a week or so before riding the two days home. I have time to pick a backcountry route. Josh has written a trip report, here is the link: https://happyon2wheels.wordpress.com/20 16/07/09/exploring-idahos-back-country/